| Model year | 2009 |
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | G-Class |
| Style | 2009 Mercedes-Benz G-Class G550 4dr SUV 4WD (5.5L 8cyl 7A) |
| Base MSRP | $100,250 |
| Options on test vehicle | None |
| As-tested MSRP | $101,125 |
| Drive type | Four-wheel drive |
| Engine type | V8 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 5,461cc (333 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead camshaft |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.7 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,000 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 382 @ 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 391 @ 2,800 |
| Transmission type | 7-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I=4.38; II=2.86; III=1.92; IV=1.37; V=1.00; VI=0.82; VII=0.73; R=3.42 |
| Suspension, front | Solid live axle, gas-pressurized shocks |
| Suspension, rear | Solid live axle, gas-pressurized shocks |
| Steering type | Recirculating ball with hydraulic power steering |
| Tire brand | Yokohama |
| Tire model | Geolander H/T |
| Tire type | All-season |
| Tire size, front | 265/60R18 |
| Tire size, rear | 265/60R18 |
| Wheel size | 18-by-7.5 inches front and rear |
| Wheel material | Alloy |
| Brakes, front | Ventilated disc |
| Brakes, rear | Disc |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.1 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 6.6 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 9.8 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 14.9 @ 90.9 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.3 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 31 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 127 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 50.6 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.63 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 40.9 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 75.8 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 69.8 |
| Acceleration comments | Outstanding acceleration for a 5,600-pound SUV. Bizarre lack of pitch given its height and travel. Sounds awesome and never lacks power. Snaps off rapid upshifts, too. |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Long-travel pedal, which is good in an off-roader, but still feels awkward in a vehicle that (let's face it) won't ever be driven off-road. No dive. Mostly consistent stops. |
| Handling rating | Average |
| Handling comments | The G550 posted the lowest speed we've ever recorded in the slalom. This vehicle is not made for turning. Mercedes-Benz has made certain of this by electronically restraining it. On the skid pad, highly managed by stability control, virtually all throttle inputs are disabled. Stability control returns automatically at 35 mph. |
| Elevation (ft.) | 421 |
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 11 city/15 highway |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 13.7 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 25.4 |
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 5,622 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 5,624 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 50.4/49.6 |
| Length (in.) | 184.5 |
| Width (in.) | 71.8 |
| Height (in.) | 76.0 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 112.2 |
| Track, front (in.) | 58.0 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 59.6 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 43.5 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 52.5 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 41.9 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 42.2 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 40.0 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 53.7 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 56.3 |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 45.2 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 79.5 |
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | Unlimited |
| Free scheduled maintenance | Unlimited years/3,000 miles |
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Not available |
| Head airbags | Standard front and rear |
| Knee airbags | Not available |
| Antilock brakes | 4-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Standard |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Rollover protection | Standard |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Not available |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
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